Kalam must cancel Uranium mining

Shillong, Mar 18: The Khasi Students' Union in Meghalaya has urged President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to cancel proposed of mining of Uranium ore in the state.

In its memorandum, the KSU requested the President ''not to use inducement, coercion, intimidation and force against the people, demanding guarantees for the safety and security of the generations to come. '' '' It is an established fact that Uranium is a highly radioactive element, which can wreak havoc on the people and environment when disturbed, '' the KSU said adding the effect on the health of the people would be crippling and deadly wiping them out like the Navajo Indian in America and others.

The KSU, which spearheaded movement against mining of Uranium ore state's West Khasi Hills district, said the proposed mining of Uranium by the Uranium Corporation of India Limited will result in largescale of displacement of the indigenous Khasi people.

''The UCIL on its own admission has plans to acquire ten square km of land, which would be further extended as the project progresses, '' the KSU memorandum added.

The KSU also informed the President that the proposed project will further compound the existing problem of influx of non-indigenous people into ''Khasi territory''.

UNI